Strap buckle



P 1965 L J. VILCINS ETAL 3,206,816

STRAP BUCKLE Filed June 19, 1963 @fiwmeqq United States Patent 3,206,816 STRAP BUCKLE Ilmar J. Vilcins, Northbrook, and Hobart P. Young, Winnetka, Ill., assignors to Signode Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 19, 1963, Ser. No. 289,010 8 Claims. (Cl. 24-74) This invention relates to a buckle, and is particularly concerned with a buckle adapted to secure the end or intermediate portions of a ligature threaded through the buckle.

Buckles embodying the present invention have two superimposed sections and are particularly designed for holding the ends of ligatures such as plastic or other pliable straps and may effectively hold conventional metal straps that are flexible enough to be threaded between the side members of the buckle sections.

The embodiment of the invention described and illustrated herein is a buckle formed of two molded sections of plastic material in side by side relationship. The sections are joined together along adjacent base members by a hinge strap integral therewith. The sections are rigid, but the joining strip has sufiicient flexibility so that it can be folded along its longitudinal center line to superimpose one of the sections on the other. For convenience, the buckle sections will be referred to hereinafter as upper and lower in accordance with the position shown in FIG. 1, but it will be understood that the buckle may be used in upside down position with the closed section on top and the U-shaped section on the bottom. It will be appreciated that the buckles may be made otherwise than by molding plastic. They may be made in any manner and of any material which will secure the upper and lower sections with good rigidity and strength, and which will provide a flexible or hinge portion between those sections. Herein, the expressions plastic and molded plastic are intended to include all appropriate materials and all procedures for forming the same.

In the preferred embodiment, the buckle comprises a -shaped section and a rectangular section connected thereto by a foldable hinge strip integral with both sections. The U-shaped section has two side members forming strap retaining arms extending perpendicularly to its base member which has one longitudinal edge adjacent the hinge strip. The side member of the lower section remote from the hinge strip has a projection extending upwardly therefrom. The projection fits between the strap retaining arms when the buckle sections are superimposed to prevent displacement of either the arms or the strap by tension applied to the strap. In use, two doubled portions of strap are threaded upwardly through the opening in the lower section and are then slipped over the arms of the upper loop.

In another embodiment, the buckle comprises two rectangular sections having their base members joined together by an integral flexible hinge strip. In using this embodiment, the strap ends are threaded from underneath the lower section through the openings of both sections, outwardly along opposite side members of the upper section, downwardly through the opening of the lower section, and outwardly under the corresponding side member of the lower section so that each end of the strap lies between the last mentioned side of the lower section and the adjacent strap portion.

In both embodiments the superimposed sections cooperate to prevent any slippage of the strap. Tension applied to the strap or to either end portion of said strap pulls the two sections of the buckle together in superimposed relationship to increase the grip of the buckle relative to the strap.

Numerous advantages and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and show an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing opposite ends of a strap threaded through the sections of a buckle before the strap is tensioned;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the buckle of FIGS. 1 to 4 in flat unfolded position; and

FIG. 6 is atop plan view of another embodiment of the buckle in flat unfolded position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a buckle 11 comprises an upper U-shaped section 12 and a lower section 13 having their base members joined together by an integral hinge strip 14. The upper section comprises a base member 15 and two strap retaining arms 16 and 17 extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the base member. The lower section comprises a base member 18, two side members 19, 21 and an end member extending around a rectangular opening 22 to form a closed rectangular section.

The dimensions of the buckle sections 12 and 13 are not critical, but they are thick enough to make each section rigid and strong enough for each part thereof to perform its intended function. The hinge strip 14, which extends between and is parallel to the base members 15 and 18 of the buckle sections, is sufliciently flexible so that it may be folded along its longitudinal center line to permit the upper section to be superimposed on the lower section. The hinge is formed of the same material as the buckle sections but is flexible because it is thinner. It may be molded thinner, or it may be made originally of the same thickness and then cut or grooved to leave a hinge strip of the desired thickness.

The hinge strip 14 is preferably cut or grooved from only one surface of the blank to leave one surface of the hinge strip flush with the adjacent surface of the buckle sections. The hinge strip is formed in this manner to enable the buckle sections to be folded in only one direction, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The width of the hinge strip is less than the total thickness of the base members of the two buckle sections to prevent the sections from being folded in the opposite direction. If the buckle sections are folded in the opposite direction, the edge 23 of base member 15 and the edge 24 of base member 18 will engage each other before the sections 12 and 13 are superimposed, and prevent further movement of the sections without deformation of the buckle sections.

An integral projection 25 extends upwardly from the side member 20 at approximately its mid-section. When a strap 26 is to be secured around an article or package, the strap is laid loosely around the article or package and two loops are formed by folding portions of the straps. The loops are generally near the ends of the strap, but may be formed anywhere along the length of the strap. The loops are extended through the opening 22 of the bottom section and then each loop is slipped over one of the arms 16 or 17. As the straps are tensioned, the upper section 12 is superimposed on the lower section 13, and the projection 25 cooperates with the arms 16 and 17 to prevent displacement of the arms or of the strap secured by the arms. Tension applied to any part of the strap 26 or to the strap ends 27 pulls the sections of the buckle closer together and tightens the grip of the buckle relative to the strap.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 comprises a pair of closed sections 28 and 29 joined together by a flexible hinge strip 30. The upper section 28 comprises a base member 31 adjacent one edge of the hinge, two side members 32, 34 and an end member 33 extending around a rectangular opening 35. The lower section 29 comprises a base member 36 adjacent the opposite edge of the hinge, two side members 37, 39 and an end member 38 extending around a rectangular opening 40. Although the sections are shown as being identical, it will be understood that the dimensions thereof may be varied, and that either or both sections may be asymmetric, if desired. The hinge strip 30 has a width less than the total thickness of the two base members adjacent thereto so that the buckle sections can be superimposed in only one direction. The groove defining the hinge strip is cut from one surface of the buckle to make the opposite surface of the hinge strip flush with the surfaces of the buckle that are juxtaposed when the upper section is superimposed on the lower section.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, opposite end portions of the strap 26 are positioned under the side members 37 and 39 of the lower buckle section and the buckle sections are folded together. The free ends of the strap are threaded upwardly through both openings 40 and 35. One free strap end is folded outwardly over side member 32, then inwardly between side members 32 and 37, downwardly through opening 40 and finally under side member 37. The other free strap end is folded outwardly over side member 34, then inwardly between side members 34 and 39, downwardly through opening 40, and finally under side member 39. Each free end of the strap is thus positioned between one of the side members of the lower section and the adjacent portion of the strap. Preferably at least one opening 35 or 40 has its sides the same length as the width of the strap to be secured by the buckle to prevent lateral shifting of the strap in the buckle securing the ends of the strap.

The most advantageous manner of use of the buckle of FIGS. 1-5 is to feed loops of the strap through the opening in the lower section, project the individual side members of the upper section through the respective loops and then tension the strap. When the buckle is used in this manner, it may be used at intermediate portions of the strap and the strap need not be cut. This is highly advantageous in that the strap may be looped about the package before attaching the buckle, thereby creating conditions of having only one free end on the strap. Under those circumstances, the continuous portion of the strap is folded back in a loop and projected through the opening in the lower section. The free end may be formed into a loop and projected through the opening in the lower section or it may be looped about one of the side members of the upper section as described in the preceding paragraph.

In any event, after the strap and buckle are assembled with the strap looped abut the arms of the upper section, the strap may be tensioned. Tension applied to any part of the strap or to the strap ends pulls the buckle sections closer together and tightens the grip of the buckle relative to the strap. The strap and buckle relationship, after the strap has been tensioned is such that the buckle will hold the strap firmly and maintain the established tension. Of course, if the package shrinks or expands, the tension in the strap will vary accordingly.

Although We have described two preferred embodiments of the invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of construction may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A buckle for connecting the ends of a ligature, said buckle comprising a pair of sections of plastic material, each of said sections having a pair of side members and a base member, said base members being joined together along adjacent edges thereof by a hinge of a flexible length of plastic material integral with both of said sections, the flexibility of said hinge of plastic material permitting it to be folded about its longitudinal center line, whereby one of said sections may be superimposed on the other to securely hold the ends of a ligature extending, respectively, around opposite side members of one of said sections and under the corresponding side members of the other section whereby tension applied to one end of the ligature pulls said sections into said superimposed relationship.

2. A buckle for connecting the ends of a strap, said buckle comprising a pair of rigid sections of plastic ma terial, each of said sections having a base member and strap retaining side members, said base members being joined together along adjacent edges by a strip of plastic material integral with both of said sections, said strip of plastic material being thinner than said sections, the thinness of said strip imparting flexibility thereto, whereby either of said sections may be superimposed on the other with each side member of one of said sections pulled toward a side member of said other section to hold the ends of a strap threaded around a side member of one section and under the superimposed side member of the other section.

3. A strapping connection between the ends of a strap, said connection comprising a pair of rectangular sections each defined by a base member and a plurality of side members and an end member defining a rectangular opening, said base members being joined by a strip integral therewith, said strip being thinner than said sections to permit one of said sections to be folded into superimposed relationship with said other section, each end of the strap extending from the bottom of the lower section, upwardly through the registering openings of both sections, outwardly around one side member of the upper section, downwardly through the opening in the lower section, and outwardly under the corresponding side member of the lower section whereby tension applied to said strap ends pklll llS said sections together in said superimposed relations 1p.

4. A strapping connection between the ends of a strap, said connection comprising a pair of sections each having a base member and a plurality of side members, the base members of said sections being connected to each other by a strip integral therewith, said strip being thinner than said sections and flexible to permit one of said sections to be folded into superimposed relationship with said other section, the base member, side members and an end member of one of said sections defining a rectangular opening, each end of the strap extending under one side member of said one section, upwardly through said rectangular opening, outwardly around one side member of the other section, downwardly through the opening in the first mentioned section, and outwardly under the corresponding side member of the first mentioned section, whereby tension applied to either of said strap ends pulls said sections together in said superimposed relationship.

5. A strapping connection between the ends of a strap, sald connection comprising a pair of rigid sections each having a base member and a plurality of side members, said base members being joined by a strip integral therewith, said strip being grooved on one surface only to permit said sections to be folded in one direction into superimposed relationship, the base member and side members of one of said sections defining a rectangular opening, each end of the strap extending under one side member of said one section, upwardly through said opening outwardly around one side member of the other section, downwardly through said opening, and outwardly under the corresponding side member of the second mentioned section, whereby tension tending to pull said strap ends apart forces one section into tight engagement with said other section to hold both strap ends against relative displacement.

6. A plastic buckle for connecting the ends of a strap, said buckle comprising two rigid sections in side by side relationship, said sections being joined together along adjacent sides by a strip of plastic material integral with both of said sections one surface of said strip of plastic material being grooved to a depth sufiicient to permit one of said sections to be superimposed on the other, each end of said strap being threaded upwardly along the inner edges of opposite sides, outwardly around one side of the upper section, inwardly and downwardly along the inner edges of the lower section and outwardly between the lower section and the unthreaded portion of said strap, whereby tension applied to said strap ends pulls said sections together in said superimposed relationship.

7. A buckle for connecting two portions of a strap, said buckle comprising a rigid upper section having a base member, and two strap retaining arm-s extending from its opposite ends at right angles, a rigid lower section comprising a base member, two side members and an end member defining a rectangular opening, and a flexible hinge strip integral with said sections joining said base members, said sections being foldable along said hinge into superimposed relationship with strap portions threaded through said opening and looped around said 6 sheet retaining arms, whereby tension applied to either of said strap portions tightens the grip of said buckle against the strap.

8. A buckle for connecting the ends of a strap comprising a first section defined by a base member, opposite side members and an end member, a pair of arms extending outwardly from said base member and in substantial alignment with said side members, and hinge means connecting said arms to said base member, said hinge means being suificiently thin to allow said arms and side members to be folded into superimposed relationship to securely hold the ends of a strap disposed around said arms and between said side members and arms whereby tension applied to one of said strap ends pulls said sections into said superimposed relationship.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 139,777 6/73 Cook 24-22 151,191 5/74 Armstrong 2423 728,206 5/03 Crafts 24-74 2,914,827 12/59 Crammond 2423 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,159,304 2/ 5 8 France.

905,206 9/62 Great Britain.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BUCKLE FOR CONNECTING THE ENDS OF A LIGATURE, SAID BUCKLE COMPRISING A PAIR OF SECTIONS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE MEMBERS AND A BASE MEMBER, SAID BASE MEMBERS BEING JOINED TOGETHER ALONG ADJACENT EDGES THEREOF BY A HINGE OF A FLEXIBLE LENGTH OF PLASTIC MATERIAL INTEGRAL WITH BOTH OF SAID SECTIONS, THE FLEXIBILITY OF SAID HINGE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL PERMITTING IT TO BE FOLDED ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE, WHEREBY ONE OF SAID SECTIONS MAY BE SUPERIMPOSED ON THE OTHER TO SECURELY HOLD THE ENDS OF A LIGATURE EXTENDING, RESPECTIVELY, AROUND OPPOSITE SIDE MEMBERS OF ONE OF SAID SECTIONS AND UNDER THE CORRESPONDING SIDE MEMBERS OF THE OTHER SECTION WHEREBY TENSION APPLIED TO ONE END OF THE LIGATURE PULLS SAID SECTIONS INTO SAID SUPERIMPOSED RELATIONSHIP. 